By Jonathan Lois
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, has sent a message of congratulations to the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo on his victory at the just concluded governorship election in the state.
Similarly, a group known as the Greater Igbo Forum, also extended its warm felicitations to the Anambra State Governor-elect, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR on his victory in just concluded gubernatorial election.
Governor Ikpeazu in his congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Omemanka stated that with the pedigree of Professor Soludo, he has all it takes to provide effective and strong leadership to the people of Anambra State and urged him to offer his best in the service of his people.
The Abia governor is particularly impressed with the magnanimous approach by the Governor-elect, especially to his opponents at the last election and urged them to work together for the good of the people of Anambra State.
Ikpeazu, who was the Deputy Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Anambra State Elections also commended the maturity and tenacity of the PDP candidate in the election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, describing him as a cerebral young man whose conduct and performance in the election are exemplary.
He assured him that in the nearest future, the seeds he has planted in the hearts of the people of Anambra State will bear big fruits. The Governor is of the firm belief that the place of Mr Ozigbo in the future leadership of Anambra State is assured, saying that only a matter of time would it materialised.
Ikpeazu said that he is proud to have led the campaign of the PDP in the last election and that he is even prouder over the performance of the party and its candidate in the election.
He therefore commended all members of the PDP in Anambra State for their cooperation, especially former Governor Peter Obi, the Chair of the State Campaign Council, Senator Uche Ekwunife and all who worked tirelessly in the campaigns.
The chief executive is particularly grateful to the Deputy Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for his wholehearted support as well as other PDP governors.
Ikpeazu also thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the various security agencies for the great work they did during the poll, even ads he used the opportunity to charge them to build on the Anambra election and seek ways of consistently improving the quality of our elections across the country.
The governor is grateful to God Almighty for the successful and peaceful conduct of the election, especially in the face of the glaring uncertainties that defined the build up to the polls.
In the same vein, the Greater Igbo Forum, while lauding INEC and the security agencies for their commendable roles, extended its warm felicitations to the Anambra State Governor-elect, Chukwuma Soludo on his victory in just concluded gubernatorial election.
Dr. Kingsman Obinna Chikelu, the founder of the organization, who described the election as one of the most peaceful elections conducted since the return of democracy in 1999, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Security agencies for their various efforts towards ensuring a smooth and hitch-free exercise.
Chikelu, therefore, enjoined the former CBN Governor “to be magnanimous in victory and rally round other stakeholders and gatekeepers in the implementation of his visions and plans for Ndi Anambra, as it would go a long way in solving our collective challenges as Ndi Igbo”.
Similarly, the president of the greater Igbo forum, Hon. Levi Ezeorah commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by all parties who were involved in the election, adding that Mr. Valentine Ozigbo of PDP who immediately congratulated Professor Soludo on his victory, is a rare breed.
“His tenacity, doggedness, resilience and penchant for a better Anambra is outstanding”, he remarked, even as he used the forium to congratulate all Anambrarians, especially, Ndigbo who came out to perform their civic responsibilities for their commitment to the ideals of democracy.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
